What The Cast Of The Nanny Looks Like Today

Back in the ’90s, one TV show that truly captured my heart was “The Nanny,” which aired for six seasons on CBS from 1993 to 1999. I, like countless others, was captivated by Fran Drescher’s portrayal of Fran Fine, the vibrant, vocal, and spirited nanny who brought much-needed change to a rather stiff and formal household.

In essence, Fran Fine served as an exhilarating contrast to the reserved Sheffield family she worked for, and this clash of cultures proved to be just what they needed to rekindle warmth and merriment within their home. Incredibly, the character of “The Nanny” was inspired by a real-life experience Drescher had while babysitting Twiggy’s child in London. They became friends during their stint on the short-lived sitcom “Princesses,” and this friendship served as the foundation for the creation of the beloved character we all know and cherish today.

The Sheffield family comprised Maxwell Sheffield (played by Charles Shaughnessy), the family’s head, his children Maggie (Nicholle Tom), Brighton (Benjamin Salisbury), and Grace (Madeline Zima), along with their butler Niles (Daniel Davis) and Maxwell’s longtime business partner C.C. Babcock (Lauren Lane). Throughout the show’s entire run, this core group of seven remained constant. In addition to these main characters, there were three significant recurring roles: Val Toriello (Rachel Chagall), Sylvia Fine (Renée Taylor), and Yetta Rosenberg-Jones (Ann Morgan Guilbert), who represented Fran’s best friend, mother, and grandmother respectively. Now let us delve into what these actors have been doing since “The Nanny” concluded its successful Emmy-winning run, and learn about their current appearances.

Daniel Davis

The British butler character in sitcoms, like Niles, often displays a witty and sarcastic demeanor, but he stood out among his peers such as Geoffrey from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” because he didn’t appear to resent his job or the family he served. Instead, Niles was deeply devoted to the Sheffields, viewing them not as rivals when a new nanny arrived, but rather welcoming Fran as an ally and friend.

Actor Daniel Davis is known for multiple significant roles in television and film. Prior to his role as The Nanny, he made over 70 appearances on NBC’s soap opera Texas, where he took over the character of Eliot Carrington from James Douglas, who initially portrayed him on Another World. Additionally, Davis played the infamous rival of Sherlock Holmes, Professor Moriarty, in two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and later reprised that role in Star Trek: Picard. While television may have been his main stage, Daniel Davis has also starred in notable films such as The Hunt for Red October and The Prestige.

Beyond his film and television roles, Davis has also had an illustrious career on stage that dates back to the 1960s. Recently, he starred in a 2019 live theater production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and he received a Tony nomination for his performance in “Wrong Mountain” in 2000.

Madeline Zima

Among the Sheffield siblings, Grace “Gracie” Sheffield stood out as one who exhibited maturity beyond her age, akin to Lisa Simpson in this regard. This trait sometimes caused inconvenience not just for Gracie herself but also for those around her. However, when it came to embracing Fran, the newcomer, Gracie was the first and most ardent. In fact, she went as far as aiding in the relationship between Fran and Gracie’s father, Maxwell, with the intention of making Fran her stepmother. It was evident from early on that Gracie desired Fran to be part of their family, and she left no stone unturned to make this a reality.

Gracie, the character played by Madeline Zima, was the one that gave her acting career a significant boost through “The Nanny.” Post “The Nanny”, Zima kept herself busy, with notable roles on both big and small screens. She later starred as the lead in Showtime’s “Californication,” and had recurring roles in series like “Heroes,” “Betas,” and “Doom Patrol.” Her recent work includes appearances in movies such as “Bombshell” and “Subservience” and TV shows like “High Potential,” “Hacks,” “NCIS: Hawaii,” “You,” “Good Girls,” and more. In 2018, Zima ventured into the world of writing and directing with a short film titled “Warm Human Magic.” This project earned her recognition as an emerging talent in filmmaking at the Madrid International Film Festival.

Lauren Lane

In sitcoms like “The Nanny,” instead of having clear-cut villains, there is usually an antagonistic element within the main cast that fuels most of the show’s conflicts. In this case, C.C. Babcock, Maxwell’s business partner, played the role of the thorn in the side for much of the series. Portrayed as calculating and manipulative, she swiftly tried to win over Maxwell following his wife’s death, even when it was clearly inappropriate. Throughout the show’s early seasons, she persistently pursued a romantic relationship with him despite numerous reasons against it. Additionally, she frequently overlooked or struggled to remember the names of the Sheffield children and consistently referred to Fran, who had become an integral part of the Sheffield family, dismissively as “Nanny Fine,” even after Fran was no longer the children’s nanny.

Lauren Lane hasn’t had many significant roles on screen; aside from her iconic part as C.C. on “The Nanny,” she was a main cast member for only one season of the action series “Hunter” and made a brief appearance on “L.A. Law.” Beyond those roles, her TV career mainly consisted of guest spots in various shows. As for films, the number of them she’s appeared in can be counted on one hand, with none being widely recognized. However, where Lane has been most active as an actor is on the stage. She spent five years in Tim Robbins’ acclaimed theater group The Actor’s Gang and has also performed in stage productions across California, Texas, and Kentucky. When she isn’t acting, Lane is a tenured professor and career coach.

Rachel Chagall

Valerie Toriello, often referred to as “Val,” played the eccentric and lovable best friend character in the popular sitcom “The Nanny.” She was a long-time friend of the protagonist, Fran, having known each other since their school days, and also used to work with her at the bridal shop famously featured in the show’s catchy theme song. Val appeared in almost half of the episodes of “The Nanny,” although she was not a permanent cast member. As the series progressed, it became evident that Fran was managing to sort out her life more effectively than Val; however, when the show concluded, it showed Fran moving to California, whereupon Val found her own fairy-tale ending.

Rachel Chagall had an impressive debut with a Golden Globe-nominated performance in the 1987 film “Gaby: A True Story,” but following that, her career was marked by limited and less significant roles compared to her early success. Her filmography consists of only nine titles, including “The Nanny” where she not only starred as a character but also wrote an episode for the sixth season. Many of her screen appearances consist of titles like “declining agent” or “abortion activist,” rather than named characters. A notable exception is her cameo as Val on another CBS sitcom, “The Simple Life.” After 2006, Chagall decided to lead a more private life, though she briefly returned to the role of Val for a YouTube reading of “The Nanny’s” pilot episode in 2020.

Benjamin Salisbury

In the family dynamic, Brighton found himself in two unique positions: the middle child sandwiched between sisters, and the solitary male among females. These roles significantly shaped his personality. Being overlooked as the only son and the middle child often fueled his mischievous behavior, seeking attention. He also had a history of not getting along with nannies, including Fran, but much like his siblings, he eventually grew to appreciate her affection.

Prior to securing the role of Brighton on “The Nanny,” Benjamin Salisbury initially stepped into acting with his debut in the 1992 nautical comedy “Captain Ron,” starring Martin Short and Kurt Russell. After his stint on “The Nanny,” he didn’t engage much in acting, with a part in “D3: The Mighty Ducks” being his most significant film role, some minor TV appearances such as single-episode spots, and nothing substantial to highlight. Notably, he became one of only four individuals in the history of “Jeopardy” to win with just $1, an accomplishment he achieved during a 1997 “Celebrity Jeopardy” episode where he competed against Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kirsten Dunst. Since his retirement from acting in the mid-2000s, Salisbury now belongs to the group of child stars who later settled into regular adult careers; currently, he serves as the director of operations for Universal Studios Hollywood.

Nicholle Tom

In a different setting, we find Margaret “Maggie” Sheffield, the eldest child from Sheffield, initially presented herself as a timid teenager with low self-confidence in the show “The Nanny.” Among her siblings, she was seen as a role model by Grace while enduring teasing from Brighton due to her awkwardness. Her father took great care to shield her, restricting her freedom, particularly when it came to dating, in an attempt to preserve his little girl forever. It’s plausible that Fran, the nanny, had the most significant influence on Maggie, guiding her towards greater self-assurance. This newfound confidence allowed her to thrive at school by emulating Fran and eventually persuading Maxwell to grant Maggie some personal freedom outside of their household.

Similar to Benjamin Salisbury, the actor who played Maggie (Nicholle Tom) was already gaining recognition as a young talent when she landed the role in “The Nanny”. She had starred in the first “Beethoven” movie and reprised her role for its sequel, coincidentally released in the same year that “The Nanny” premiered. Additionally, Tom provided the voice for her “Beethoven” character in a short-lived animated adaptation that ran for only one season on CBS in 1994. Since then, she has continued to be highly active in both films and especially television, accumulating numerous roles across series and TV movies. She even made an appearance as herself on the 2017 show “Hollywood Darlings” and featured in a 2024 episode of “Worst Cooks in America.

Renée Taylor

In the span of approximately 100 episodes, Sylvia Fine, Fran’s mom, was a frequent and significant character on “The Nanny.” Although she occasionally disregarded boundaries, Sylvia always acted with Fran’s well-being in mind and yearned for her daughter’s happiness above all else. Furthermore, Sylvia developed a wonderful bond with the Sheffield children, becoming like a caring grandmother to them from the get-go. It’s worth noting that Sylvia was modeled after Fran Drescher’s real mother, much like Morty Fine, who portrayed her father, albeit appearing only sporadically in the series.

Renee Taylor, a seasoned actress, had amassed more than three decades of acting roles prior to accepting the part of Sylvia. Interestingly, this character was initially portrayed by Fran Drescher when Sylvia debuted on the show via flashbacks depicting Fran’s childhood. Notable performances in Taylor’s extensive repertoire include her portrayal of Eva Braun in the 1967 film version of “The Producers” and appearances on shows like “St. Elsewhere,” “The Love Boat,” and “Thirtysomething.” Moreover, she is a talented writer, with a diverse body of work spanning films, television, and live theater.

Currently, at the age of 91, Taylor remains active, gracing our screens in a 2023 episode of Amazon’s Prime Video show “Upload,” as well as taking on a role in the 2025 dramedy titled “Magic Hour.

Ann Morgan Guilbert

Fran’s grandmother, Yetta Rosenberg-Jones, often appeared prominently on “The Nanny.” Despite being confined to a retirement home, she was frequently mixed up, believing that Fran and Maxwell were already married and that the Sheffield kids were Fran’s own children. It seemed that she had a knack for recognizing love and family ties earlier than others in the series. However, her one major mistake was assuming that Maxwell and C.C. were involved romantically – a misunderstanding that always resulted in awkwardly funny situations.

Ann Morgan Guilbert had a notable career in television prior to playing Yetta. She became well-known for her recurring role as Millie Helper on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” and subsequently appeared in numerous iconic TV shows such as “My Three Sons,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Love, American Style,” “Maude,” “Barney Miller,” “Cheers,” “Newhart,” and others. Even after her time on “The Nanny,” she continued to add notable roles to her resume, including appearances in “Seinfeld,” “Home Improvement,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Modern Family,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and more. While she didn’t do many films, she did star in the 1995 movie “Grumpier Old Men.

As a gamer speaking about myself, I stepped into the shoes of GiGi on the CBS comedy “Life in Pieces,” a role I played until the sad day in July 2016 when I joined the ranks of those beloved “The Nanny” stars who are no longer with us.

Charles Shaughnessy

Maxwell “Max” Sheffield, the principal character on “The Nanny,” served as the head of the Sheffield household and thrived in the world of Broadway production. However, it was frequently joked about within the series that he didn’t quite reach the same level of success as Andrew Lloyd Webber – a comparison that consistently rankled him. Prior to the start of the show, Max had been widowed and was managing his three children on his own, with assistance from butler Niles and a rotating cast of nannies. However, just like she did for the kids, Fran would ultimately transform Max’s life in numerous ways – even going so far as to marry him and expand their family through the birth of twins at the conclusion of the series.

Among all actors from “The Nanny”, Charles Shaughnessy has the best argument that this show is not his most recognized character. Instead, it’s likely his role in “Days of Our Lives” as Shane/Drew Donovan for which he is best known. He played this part in close to 1,200 episodes, and more recently, from 2021 to 2023, he returned to daytime soap operas with “General Hospital.” Throughout the years between these soap opera appearances and his time on “The Nanny”, Shaughnessy has starred in multiple films and TV shows. One of his notable roles from the past decade is Christopher Plover in Syfy’s “The Magicians.

2005 saw Shaughnessy rejoining forces with Fran Drescher in the sitcom “Living with Fran”, which broadcasted over two seasons on the WB network. Paying homage to fans of “The Nanny”, Shaughnessy portrayed the former spouse of Drescher’s character.

Fran Drescher

Fran Fine, in the TV series “The Nanny”, is best known for her hilarious moments that made her an iconic comedy figure. However, beyond the humor, she also brought a great deal of warmth to the Sheffield family. At first glance, “The Nanny” followed a typical fish-out-of-water/culture clash formula, but it soon transformed into a story about a woman seeking a family finding one that needed a wife and mother at the perfect moment for everyone involved. While some may write off the show as Fran constantly posing for the camera and laughing frequently, “The Nanny” offered much more than typical sitcom stereotypes and caricatures. This depth is what kept the show endearing during its original run and continues to do so through repeated broadcasts.

Prior to her role in “The Nanny” and co-creation, Fran Drescher had a rich and varied acting career that encompassed both mainstream successes and cult favorites. On the silver screen, she featured in movies such as “Saturday Night Fever,” “The Hollywood Knights,” “Ragtime,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” and “UHF.” Before starring on “The Nanny,” her television roles included appearances on shows like “Fame,” “Silver Spoons,” “Who’s the Boss?,” “Night Court,” “ALF,” and “227.

Since she stopped wearing Fran Fine’s high heels, Drescher has become more recognized for her role as the Screen Actors Guild president, starting from 2021. During her term, Drescher managed the SAG-AFTRA strike that coincided with the ongoing 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Moreover, she played a significant part in negotiating the agreement reached between actors and studios following the strike.

2025-03-23 19:32